History of the United Netherlands, 1585 part 4 | Page 3

my
lords of her council do know. Yet for their government thus much I
must write; that during these troubles it never was better than now.
They draw, in a manner, one line, long and carefully in their resolution;
but the same once taken and promises made, they would perform them
to the uttermost."

Such then was the character of the people, for no man was better
enabled to form an opinion on the subject than was Gilpin. Had it not
been as well, then, for Englishmen--who were themselves in that age,
as in every other, apt to "perform to the uttermost promises once taken
and made," and to respect those endowed with the same wholesome
characteristic--to strike hands at once in a cause which was so vital to
both nations?
So soon as the definite refusal of Henry III, was known in England,
Leicester and Walsingham wrote at once to the Netherlands. The Earl
already saw shining through the distance a brilliant prize for his own
ambition, although he was too haughty, perhaps too magnanimous, but
certainly far too crafty, to suffer such sentiments as yet to pierce to the
surface.
"Mr. Davison," he wrote, "you shall perceive by Mr. Secretary's letters
how the French have dealt with these people. They are well enough
served; but yet I think, if they will heartily and earnestly seek it, the
Lord hath appointed them a far better defence. But you must so use the
matter as that they must seek their own good, although we shall be
partakers thereof also. They may now, if they will effectually and
liberally deal, bring themselves to a better end than ever France would
have brought them."
At that moment there were two diplomatic agents from the States
resident in England--Jacques de Gryze; whom Paul Buys had formerly
described as having thrust himself head and shoulders into the matter
without proper authority, and Joachim Ortel, a most experienced and
intelligent man, speaking and writing English like a native, and
thoroughly conversant with English habits and character. So soon as
the despatches from France arrived, Walsingham, 18th March, 1585,
sent for Ortel, and the two held a long conference.
Walsingham.--"We have just received letters from Lord Derby and Sir
Edward Stafford, dated the 13th March. They inform us that your
deputies--contrary to all expectation and to the great hopes that had
been hold out to them--have received, last Sunday, their definite answer
from the King of France. He tells them, that, considering the present
condition of his kingdom, he is unable to undertake the protection of
the Netherlands; but says that if they like, and if the Queen of England
be willing to second his motion, he is disposed to send a mission of

mediation to Spain for the purpose of begging the King to take the
condition of the provinces to heart, and bringing about some
honourable composition, and so forth, and so forth.
"Moreover the King of France has sent Monsieur de Bellievre to Lord
Derby and Mr. Stafford, and Bellievre has made those envoys a long
oration. He explained to them all about the original treaty between the
States and Monsieur, the King's brother, and what had taken place from
that day to this, concluding, after many allegations and divers reasons,
that the King could not trouble himself with the provinces at present;
but hoped her Majesty would make the best of it, and not be offended
with him.
"The ambassadors say further, that they have had an interview with
your deputies, who are excessively provoked at this most unexpected
answer from the King, and are making loud complaints, being all
determined to take themselves off as fast as possible. The ambassadors
have recommended that some of the number should come home by the
way of England."
Ortel.--"It seems necessary to take active measures at once, and to
leave no duty undone in this matter. It will be advisable to confer, so
soon as may be, with some of the principal counsellors of her Majesty,
and recommend to them most earnestly the present condition of the
provinces. They know the affectionate confidence which the States
entertain towards England, and must now, remembering the sentiments
of goodwill which they have expressed towards the Netherlands, be
willing to employ their efforts with her Majesty in this emergency."
Walsingham (with much show of vexation).--"This conduct on the part
of the French court has been most pernicious. Your envoys have been
delayed, fed with idle hopes, and then disgracefully sent away, so that
the best part of the year has been consumed, and it will be most
difficult now, in a great hurry, to get together a sufficient force of horse
and foot folk, with other necessaries in abundance. On the contrary, the
enemy, who knew from the first